Harvard and Cornell trained physician Adrienne Denese, M.D. Ph.D, has devoted her career to creating topical treatments for aging skin in her brand known as Dr. Denese SkinScience. Dr. Denese has been featured on PBS, QVC shows and infomercials, Cosmopolitan, Elle, and ABC. In this review, we’ll discuss a few of the brand’s best selling products, key ingredients, Dr. Denese reviews from real customers, an alternative for you to consider, and more.
OUR TOP SKINCARE PICKS
| Rank | Brand | Link | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carrot & Stick | Review | |||||
| 2 | Formulyst | Review | |||||
| 3 | Skinceuticals | Review | |||||
| - | Dr Denese |
What’s Inside Dr. Denese Skin Care?
There really isn’t just one key ingredient that can be found in every single Dr. Denese Skin Care product. Rather, the brand uses a variety of beneficial ingredients, such as Vitamin C, peptides, and retinol. These ingredients should all be part of your skincare routine.
Vitamin C
We’ve been hearing for years that Vitamin C is the best anti-aging ingredient. It’s a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from free radicals, the unstable molecules that contribute to the formation of premature wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.
Vitamin C also helps fade dark spots, evens out skin tone, and increases radiance. As if that wasn’t enough, research suggests that when vitamin C is applied to the skin, it significantly reverses aging-related structural changes by influencing collagen and elastin synthesis.
It’s in Dr. Denese Pro C Clinical PM Brightening Serum.
But our favorite Vitamin C serum is Carrot & Stick The Defence Serum. It contains 3 distinct types of Vitamin C that work together to help fight free radical damage. We recommend using it every morning.
Peptides
As you age, your body’s production of collagen and elastin slows down. These two proteins are responsible for your skin’s structural support. As a result, the skin loses its natural plumpness and smoothness.
While collagen is necessary for maintaining youthful-looking skin, the collagen protein is too large to absorb into the skin topically. That’s why applying skin care products that contain collagen won’t provide the anti-aging benefits you’re looking for.
This is where peptides come into action. Peptides are the building blocks of protein, and they are easily absorbed into the deeper layers of skin due to their smaller size.
Dr. Denese Triple Strength Peptide Super Drops contains several peptides known to combat aging and help promote skin barrier function and repair.
If you’re looking for a peptide serum, we recommend Carrot & Stick The Repair Serum. It contains 7 plant-based peptides to promote plumper and smoother-looking skin. It also has skin-loving ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide.
Retinol
Retinol is the go-to anti-aging ingredient recommended by dermatologists and skin experts. It’s clinically proven to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve uneven skin tone, restore skin firmness, and shrink the appearance of enlarged pores.
The only downside? Retinol can often lead to side effects like skin dryness, peeling, and irritation.
It’s in Dr. Denese SkinScience HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum, as well as in Dr. Denese Triple Strength Peptide Super Drops.
Use retinoids at night. We recommend this retinoid oil serum. It contains Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate, an ingredient that provides similar benefits with less irritation.
What are the best selling Dr. Denese Skin Care products?
Dr. Denese suggests following her Six Step Skin Care Program every night to successfully address the eight visual signs of aging skin. However, if you’re not ready to invest in six products from this brand, we recommend starting with one of these best selling Dr. Denese Skin Care products:
Dr. Denese HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum
Dr. Denese HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum is a hydrating serum that is said to lock in moisture to drastically reduce the look of dry lines and wrinkles and to plump the appearance of the skin. This Dr. Denese serum is meant for those with dry to normal skin types. If your skin is oily, you can still use this serum, but place it only around the eyes and neck and on dry patches–not on the oily T-zone.
Dr. Denese Hydrating Cleanser
Another best selling Dr. Denese Skin Care product is the Hydrating Cleanser. This cleanser can be used by all skin types and is said to hydrate and clean the skin while also delivering antioxidants, vitamins, and lipids to the skin at the same time.
Dr. Denese Advanced Firming Facial Pads
Dr. Denese Advanced Firming Facial Pads are exfoliating facial pads that work by removing dead old skin cells and facilitating the rise of fresh young skin cells to the surface. The Dr. Denese firming facial pads are meant for anyone who is dealing with dull skin, uneven skin tone, enlarged pores, and fine lines and wrinkles.
Where is Dr. Denese Skin Care sold?
Dr. Denese Skin Care is sold on the brand’s website, as well as QVC and Amazon.
What is the Dr. Denese return policy?
The Dr. Denese return policy states that returns are accepted within 30 days of package arrival. However, the brand does not accept returns on products that have been heavily used, and original shipping and handling charges are non-refundable.
Are Dr. Denese products cruelty free?
Dr. Denese products are cruelty free and the brand can be found in PETA’s Beauty without Bunnies Cruelty Free Database. The brand states, “We at SkinScience Labs, Inc. do not believe in animal testing. None of our vendors, suppliers or raw material producers perform any type of animal testing.”
Dr. Denese reviews
Dr. Denese reviews on the brand’s website are overall very positive, with most products receiving 4 and 5 star ratings.
Several positive Dr. Denese reviews for the HydroShield Ultra Moisturizing Face Serum mention that it leaves the skin feeling clean, moisturized, and silky. However, there are several reviews for this product that mention it has an oily feel when applied. For example, one reviewer shares, “It seems to go on oily but soon it absorbs. I’m not really seeing much change in my face or wrinkles so I’d say the product is ok but overpriced.”
The Dr. Denese Hydrating Cleanser reviews mention that it is refreshing, gentle, and does not dry out the skin. There are also several reviews that say it removes makeup well. For example, “Love how this product removes all my make up including mascara and leaves my skin moisturized and not dry.” However, some customers find this cleanser to be too rich and others experienced breakouts after using it.
Positive reviews for the Dr. Denese Firming Facial Pads mention that these pads really do help to minimize the look of pores and keep the skin very smooth. One long time customer says, “I have been using Dr. Denese’s Advanced Firming Facial Pads for many, many years and they have made my facial skin look fantastic. My pores are nonexistent now and my face looks and feels so firm and smooth.” There aren’t any negative reviews for this product at the moment.
What are some alternatives to Dr. Denese Skin Care?
If you’re looking for skincare products to address the signs of aging, we recommend Carrot & Stick. Carrot & Stick maximizes the use of powerful ingredients and minimizes the use of superficial ones, resulting in advanced skincare solutions that help promote healthy, more youthful-looking skin. We recommend the Day & Night Routine.
Kay Original review: Aug 19, 2023.
The tinted sunscreen is such an amazing product!!! It makes me love sunscreen! So creamy and light, the tint blends perfectly with any skin type and gives you coverage too.
It’s my new go to daily sunscreen when going out. I love this product!